Understanding the language of aviation
Jason E Jacobs is a Master Certified Flight Instructor Accreditation with more than 20 years of experience. With his skills and knowledge, he has trained hundreds of students - both domestic and international who are now professional airline and corporate pilots.
Understanding the language of aviation
With air travel across different countries becoming more common, many people from different nations are flying more frequently. This leads to more communication between people who speak different languages and come from different backgrounds. Because international flights may have two pilots from different backgrounds, they often speak different languages. In such cases, the need for a standardized language of aviation is required. This is a language that is standardized for pilots, air traffic controllers, airport crew, cabin crew and others connected with managing the aviation industry. Even if you are not flying directly, understanding what the pilots are saying can be beneficial in many situations.
What is aviation English?
There are a few things that distinguish aviation English from normal English language. These changes have been made to make communication simpler and to prevent accidents or mishaps during flight. One of the main things that define aviation language is the use of abbreviations. There are various technical abbreviations that can be used in many circumstances. These abbreviations all have a specific meaning relevant to only the aviation industry. These abbreviations help save time and are standardized, which means that there is less chance of misunderstandings between two professionals.
Another thing that defines aviation language is the use of certain phrases. These can be used to describe a certain occurrence and often indicate professionalism. They are also easily understood and can be used to convey a message more quickly. You may have heard the words ‘Mayday’ or ‘Roger’ before. These are common phrases that pilots use to communicate and convey information more quickly. Although they do not have much meaning in normal conversation, they are effectively used in aviation language. The use of these phrases can be extremely beneficial while flying, mainly due to its simplicity. For example, Mayday means that there is danger and the pilots are in an emergency. This is seldom used, so it is an effective way of delivering a strong message in a single word. Similarly, ‘Roger’ is commonly used to indicate the end of a conversation and helps instill a professional attitude in both the pilots and the crew.
Benefits of aviation language
Helps create a professional atmosphere:
All members of the aviation industry play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the passengers. Even a small error might make a significant difference when it comes to flying for operating a plane. In such cases, a disciplined and professional attitude helps ensure that the crew are aware of their responsibilities and that they remain alert. It also shows that they take their job seriously, which is important for safety.
Helps maintain safety
Without a standardized language that is easy for people of different backgrounds to speak, accidents can occur due to miscommunication. In fact, aviation language had come into being after a few such incidents occurred and passengers lost their lives. Nowadays, all pilots and crew have to pass a language proficiency test to ensure that they are able to communicate effectively. Aviation English has certain abbreviations for situations where the pilot needs to be clear. This helps to ensure that there is no miscommunication and safety is maintained.
Makes flying more efficient
When pilots communicate with other crew or ground control, they need to be clear and concise. There is no time for lengthy conversations and miscommunication could lead to delays. Although most good pilots will clarify their position if they are unsure of something, repeating the same thing over and over indicates a lack of efficiency. With aviation language, however, everything is clear and defined, which can help improve efficiency.
Who should learn aviation language?
There's no restriction to anyone who wishes to learn the aviation language. It is quite simple actually, and there are only a few phrases that you may have to learn. Although the list of abbreviations can be lengthy, it can be learnt quite easily. It is compulsory for pilots and ground crew to be proficient in aviation language. However, if you are part of the cabin crew or a flight attendant, knowing basic aviation language is beneficial. Even if you travel by air regularly, or you use a private aeroplane, you can learn the basics of aviation language as it can help with communication.
